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FUN, SAFE AND SANE









Last Halloween my neighborhood was deeply shaken by a tragedy which claimed the lives of an entire young family when an underage driver - given a bottle of Jack Daniels by a liquor store owner already known to have lost a liquor license - drove onto a sidewalk and hit them as they were walking. A mother, a father and their little boy.

 Countless lives impacted and a neighborhood in grief.
As a certified bartender, spirits consultant and host of the upcoming A Bartender's Tour podcast, I thought I’d offer the following suggestions to make for a fun and safe holiday celebration for you and yours.


  • Have a designated driver in your group. Or have Uber, Lyft or taxi service loaded on your phone and use it instead of trying to navigate home, even if you think you’re only a “little” buzzed.

  • No underage drinking. Period. Not only are you keeping young people safe but you’re keeping the people around them safe as well. No offense to young people, but we were all there once and know what *we* did at that age. 

  • Alternate a glass of water between your drinks. This slows down your consumption and keeps you hydrated. The average human liver only metabolizes one drink an hour (one beer, one average cocktail, one glass of wine). There are other factors, but keep that in mind as a general rule.

  • Know your limit. It helps to decide how many drinks, and what kind/size you’ll have before you start drinking. Make it a reasonable number and stick to it.

  • Enjoy your friends and family, they’re the reason you’re celebrating. Make sure they’re being safe as well. You want them to be with you next year for the holidays.

  • Consider drinking mocktails or alternating with cocktail-like non-alcoholic beverages. (My wife loves cranberry and soda.) Sometimes all you need is a prop for the party, and these sort of drinks are a perfect way to slow yourself down.

  • NO PRESSURE. From you or from anyone else. If you don’t want another drink don’t let anyone push you into it. And don’t try to pressure anodyne else to keep drinking with you. (That’s a sure sign you’ve reached your own limit, by the way.)

  • If someone is becoming agitated or belligerent quietly let the host know, or if you’re at a restaurant/club let the manager or bartender know. Most businesses enforce California Responsible Beverage Service practices, which trains employees on ways to handle someone who has had too much. Let the professionals handle it - if they’re true professionals they will be the last people in the room drinking and can help diffuse situations or, if needed, call the authorities.

  • If someone suggests you might have had a bit too much, accept that graciously. Even if you don’t think you have, they’re trying to look out for you. Stop for a while. Drink some water. Relax. You’re there to have a good time, as are they. 

  • Above all, enjoy yourself. Just a few precautions can make for a great party, terrific time with friends and family, and wonderful memories of the holidays.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.


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